Friday, September 28, 2012

Imagine how many different hands worked to bring this one steam engine to life - from the designers and drafters to the miners of the coal and ore, the welders and boilermakers, the riveters and fitters, the engineers and conductors and the passengers who paid to ride behind her.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Built in 1903, this Scandinavian inspired house was built and furnished for the Hovander family. The barn seen here was finished eight years later. The grand home has large windows for light and exterior gingerbread. The family resided here until 1969. It is now part of the Whatcom County Park system and I have to take a tour of the interior someday.﻿

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

This is a picture from June, on a rainy ride home from Friday Harbor. The ferry boat's wake expands into the distance. I actually miss grey days like this. I'm sure they'll be here soon enough and then I'll be missing the sun. ﻿

Monday, September 24, 2012

I've been on the lookout for flowers lately, as so many are still around and haven't lost their petals due to the lack of our usual rain. This rose was still in beautiful condition for late September. I've always been a fan of the pink and yellow combination.﻿

Friday, September 21, 2012

Once on board, we sat in a beautifully maintained car that I would guess dated from the twenties. The first car behind the engine was open topped for up close viewing of the scenery. I was in the open car when we hit the first hill. The pleasantly huffing steam engine became a monster, billowing black smoke and sending blasts up through the foliage with such force that leaves and even small branches were blown off the trees.

Yankee soldiers lie in wait for the confederates.

Shots are fired...

...and casualties mount as the battle rages.

The union forces eventually surrender, but this confederate soldier paid the ultimate price for victory.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

While visiting my dad this weekend, we took a ride on an old steam train out of Elbe, Washington. The Washington Civil War Association staged a mock battle at the end of the ride and rode with us in costume. I'll post more pictures this weekend!

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

This multi layer metal engraved sculpture is part of the artwork on Bellingham Technical College's campus. I was drawn to this because of it's many layers used to create Mount Baker, the foothills and the forest valley.﻿

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Before our late bit of summer slips away, I had to share a wild flower garden I came apon a few weeks ago in the Birchwood neighborhood. All the bright colors and textures really appeal to me, as well as the wild arrangement.

Friday, September 14, 2012

With boxes of decorations in hand, we trooped down to the local playground to celebrate our girls' birthdays. The theme was "Under the Sea" complete with fish garlands, fishnets, and a seafloor centerpiece on the table.

Monday, September 10, 2012

The three plum trees in my yard are overly ripe and lots of fruit are now dropping. This has made our yard very popular with all the deer in the area. This mommy deer and her fawn are very frequent guests and my little girls and I couldn't be happier to see them.

Sunday, September 9, 2012

This Saturday I was so excited to attend my niece's first ever football game. Yes, I said my niece! Nooksack Valley Purple grades 4-5 took on a Ferndale squad for an entertaining afternoon. I am happy to gloat that my niece did fantastic (the only girl on either team) making 3 tackles and helping her team win 32-6. In case your curious, my niece is number 77 purple, the furthest to the left.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Fall is nearly here, and that means it's time for our annual trip to the FFA corn maze near Lynden, WA. This year's maze had us going in circles for quite a while before we stumbled on the right passage.

Sunday, September 2, 2012

On our latest visit to Hovander Park we were excited to discover a brand new playground. The kids loved it, as it had a nature theme, and I loved the way it was situated amongst the old farm buildings.﻿

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